Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 2, 1994 TAG: 9411020048
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The museum is to be built on land owned by the society and will be a part of the Andrew Johnston House property at 208 N. Main St. in Pearisburg. Construction should begin in the spring.
The new structure, to be called the Giles County Historical Museum, is envisioned as a repository for a wide collection of artifacts from across the county. Space will be available for special exhibits and shows.
A fund-raising drive will begin Sunday with a kickoff dinner at Anna's Restaurant in Narrows at 5 p.m. The historical society hopes to raise enough money to cover both the new museum construction and restoration of the interior of the 1829 Andrew Johnston House.
Hoechst-Celanese Manager Winston Faust and his wife, Kathy, will head the fund-raising committee. Overall planning is headed by Alex and Love Witten. Retired contractor Richard DeBusk is chairman of the museum construction committee. The museum interior committee is headed by Tony Williams, immediate past president of the Giles County Historical Society. Cornelia Smith will be in charge of publicity.
Alex Davis is chairman of the restoration committee. This committee has been at work for the past year on planning for the Andrew Johnston House. This work will be done over a period of several years with guidance from experts in historic restoration.
As drawn by architect J.W. Wood, the museum will be a two-story building, 40 by 60 feet, in a style compatible with other buildings on the property. It will be on a sloping area at the rear of the lot. The lower level is planned to accommodate large items on exhibit as well as a kitchen and storage area. The upper level will include an open area for exhibits and meetings, along with a gift shop and rest rooms.
Materials and labor are being offered for construction. The Wittens are expecting such donations to help keep down the cost of the building.
The new museum has been needed for several years by historical society members and other county residents. Acceptance of historic items by the society has been limited by the lack of storage and exhibit space.
The Johnston property was acquired by the historical society in 1985 from heirs of the late Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Green Johnston. Three buildings are standing on the lot. The main house is Federal style and furnished in period furniture from the Johnston family. The separate white frame doctor's office was built in 1857 and serves as a research center. A brick garage was converted in 1991 to a museum for small exhibits.
The kickoff dinner on Sunday is open to all. For information on cost and for reservations, call 921-2157 or 921-4060.
by CNB